1997 Montero SR - The white ghost

[kalieracer]

Started out with 1997 SR, with a blown motor. Current State of my build.

3.8L Mivec motor swapped in
Headers
3inch exhaust from the y pipe back
Hybrid intake manfold with VICS
Custom PNP ECU (using the stock harness) ECU with Knock control, vics, mivec and electric fan control
Updated 370CC 12 hole injectors
Pajero EVO FPR
Custom Alloy radiator with uprated transcooler
SPAL AC fan upgrade.
SPAL 16inch cooling fan - Next phase project
Uprated oil and externa transcooler / with spal fan - Nextphase project
AEM Wideband Controller
Waterless coolant
170degree tstat
4.63 regear (pending install)
Front locker (pending install)
160a Custom alternator
uprated charge wires and grounds

Chassis -
Fox 2.0 reservoir shocks with LSC adjusters - Custom valved and sized (Pending install)
Siberian Bushings all around
KING (AU) HD rear springs
ADD Swayaway HD torsions
315mm Slotted Cryo treated front big brakes with EBC Red (prototype pads)
Slotted Cryo Treated rear brake rotors
SS extended brake lines and chassis to axle extended line
ADD armor - Next phase of project
Sliders - Next phase of project
ADD King pin - Next phase
16x8 Forged Weld Outbacks with 285/75 Pirelli MTR tires.


Body
99 Safari Grill
99 Head lights
Euro clear corners
Stech switch system
Debadged
Window visors
Alloy roof rack - next phase project
bumpers - next phase project

Interior -
Bouncy seats - Pending install
rear compartment build with second battery- Next phase project

Lighting -
Looking for suggestions.

[MudRaider]

Aren't the crank and rods already forged?

[kalieracer]

Rods, yes.. Crank likely no. Some cars came with forged cranks in 99 and beyond. The crank is the same in most newer 3.5s

Aren't the crank and rods already forged?

[kalieracer]

Just a little update on the project.

1. two of the members on this and another forum did me a solid. One hooked me up with some Gen 2.5 headlights and 6g74 Dohc engine core.
2. My Mahle pistons and rings seem to be lost in shipping. Pretty sure they are the only new set left in existence that was made by ACL, need them for ross to make some uprated pistons for me with a better stronger ring setup.
3. We may add more power to the build by making a 3.8 stroker motor since my core needs a fresh crank.

[Shovel]

With that custom aluminum radiator,  it appears our radiator core support panel undergoes a bit of torsion that's not really accounted for on the radiator itself.  You might want to try isolating it a little, for example on rubber isolators or similar, to avoid premature radiator death.

I'm actually considering working something like that out on my OEM radiator..

[kalieracer]

The idea is to make drop down bracket (to allow trucks with a body lift to lower the radiator) and have it on rubber mounts.

With that custom aluminum radiator,  it appears our radiator core support panel undergoes a bit of torsion that's not really accounted for on the radiator itself.  You might want to try isolating it a little, for example on rubber isolators or similar, to avoid premature radiator death.

I'm actually considering working something like that out on my OEM radiator..

[Crumb]

Well let's make stainless drop brackets that have 1" incremental adjustments and we can switch to soft mount aluminium radiators.

[kalieracer]

Exactly!

Well let's make stainless drop brackets that have 1" incremental adjustments and we can switch to soft mount aluminium radiators.

[kalieracer]

Just a quick update on the build so far. I have found all the interior bits, head lights , seats , bouncy bases. I will be shipping off a stock radiator to company to have custom HD alloy unit made. Gave the truck a look over, I think the stock motor has a clogged PVC valve, valve stem seals and broken EGR pipe.. Going to do a compression and wet leak down on it to see if it's to run it for a bit longer and get the truck back on the road. That way I can work on the suspension and lockers and have more time for the motor build / swap. 

The donor block is apart and ready to get over to the machine shop to get hot tanked. Heads are off. Pistons that were lost in the mail have been found.. The real question now is should I go forward with the 3.7 Dohc stroker or just drop in a Mivec conversion with cams and headers...

[kalieracer]

Just to give everyone an update, the Mahle pistons I ordered are MIA in the post. So I have decided to ditch the whole 3.8l Dohc stroker motor build. After doing some calculations. I am now moving forward with what was supposed to be my second build. The 96 that was going to get the stroker is going to be sold. Found nice 97 with a blown motor. The 97 SR is getting a 3.8L Mivec motor with headers instead. The motor has been purchased. Follow this thread for updates on the conversion of a FWD to RWD 6G75.

[kalieracer]

Just an update, the motor is 90% out of the white truck. Mivec motor is on the stand. Working on getting it all dressed and all the parts over to it.

Items needed for this swap

1 old g674 (Sohc)
1 3.8 Mivec motor
1 - Lots of work

[PajEvo]

This is super exciting! I've posted pics of my Pajevo ECU on the FB group, with this MIVEC conversion in mind. Following this one with interest. Truly is too bad that we never got a MIVEC Montero of any flavour in North America. And funny that in JDM land they didn't even bother with our 6G75 until 2006 when they got the MIVEC version. Up till then they simply kept on with a 3500 GDI unit (except for a special project in 97 )

[kalieracer]

This truck should be a blast when it's done. Headers are on their way, Montero 6g75 intake is on it's way for fitment.  I got a bigger fuel pump and FPR. Should be getting the engine management sorted shortly too. Once that is all done and running, 33's on forged wheels, ADD suspension, ARB locker and 4.90s...

This is super exciting! I've posted pics of my Pajevo ECU on the FB group, with this MIVEC conversion in mind. Following this one with interest. Truly is too bad that we never got a MIVEC Montero of any flavour in North America. And funny that in JDM land they didn't even bother with our 6G75 until 2006 when they got the MIVEC version. Up till then they simply kept on with a 3500 GDI unit (except for a special project in 97 )

[kalieracer]

Just an update for everyone

1. The mivec motor is just about ready for drop in.
2. Headers purchased from AU fit just fine.
3. Trying a 3.8l Montero plenum and upper intake manifold
4. For the swap it is better to get 2008- 2012 motor with the short oil control housing at the rear and oil line connecting the heads.

[Crumb]

White Ghost formerly known as The Blue Ghost...